Spires answer wifi prayers in blackspots

Mobile and wifi antennae will be fitted to spires to improve internet accessALAMY

England’s churches were founded to spread the gospel — they will now also spread broadband and 4G mobile coverage to rural areas.

Under an agreement struck between the Church of England and the government, mobile and wifi antennae will be fitted to spires to improve internet access and phone reception in areas with poor coverage. The deal could expand to include Catholic churches, synagogues and mosques, the government said. More than 10,000 of England’s 16,000 Anglican churches are in rural areas, where their spires are often the tallest structure, making them the ideal place for an antenna to eliminate black spots in broadband and mobile coverage. The scheme could also raise funds for struggling rural churches.